Northwest Nazarene University was named as a 2012 “Best in the West” university by The Princeton Review. NNU is one of 121 colleges and universities named in the western region, which spans 15 states from Houston, Texas, to Seattle, Wash.

This unique college guide allows students to provide open-ended responses about the university instead of ranking based on a mathematical formula. Students and the Princeton Review had this to say about academic life on campus, “The average student at NNU is ‘someone with a belief in God and a desire to continue their education with God as a focal point.’ NNU students describe themselves as ‘very friendly and intelligent.’ ‘They listen well in class, work hard to get a good grade, are friendly to everyone and have a good balance between social life and academic life.’”

Recent chemistry and biology graduate Will Hanson from Wash. reiterates these descriptions, saying, “While at NNU, I have been stretched to become involved in more than academics, helping me grow into a young adult. I really enjoy the amazing community at NNU and the feeling of belonging to something bigger than myself. I believe that NNU is a unique, tight-knit community. It allows each student to find a place where they belong.”

The Princeton Review distinction was well received by NNU President David Alexander. “The quality of our students’ and their academic and spiritual experience is of significant importance to us. The NNU faculty and their commitment to delivering a thought-provoking, inspired educational experience for students, preparing them well for professional careers is credited in this acknowledgment as a “Best Western College.”

The Princeton Review is a New York City-based company known for its test-prep courses, education services and books. It is not affiliated with Princeton University and not a magazine.